2010 Toyota Prius: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed May 10, 2024 · Wheels · MA

I had begun to notice a slight shimmy at highway speed for a few days, but it wasn't pronounced enough to cause concern, especially since the weather was very windy and already subjecting the car to heavy crosswinds. On Monday, [XXX], the shimmy became suddenly more pronounced, so I pulled off the highway ([XXX]) and parallel-parked on street in Cambridge, MA. While parking, I heard a loud creaking and grinding sound, and the car no longer responded to steering inputs. I exited the car and noticed the rear driver's side wheel protruding at a strange angle from the wheel well. I called AAA and the tow truck driver discovered that, behind the wheel, where the wheel meets the rear axle, the arm had rusted clean through. In other words, the wheel had completely fallen off, and was being held to the car only by the brake line. I was towed to a mechanic in Salem, MA. Both the Salem mechanic and the AAA tow truck driver said that they had never seen anything like this in all the years they'd been servicing cars. I told them that the car had never been in a flood or otherwise involved in the kind of extraordinary event that would cause more than typical rust exposure. Had the wheel come off at highway speed, I could have been seriously injured or killed. The issue did not seem to have been caused by driver/owner oversight or normal wear and tear. It seems highly unusual and potentially indicative of a defect or manufacturing error. I hope other 2010 Prius owners are aware of the vehicle's susceptibility to this issue. And I would like Toyota to take some responsibility for the high cost of repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 1, 2020 · Brakes · 92,600 miles · CA

I was comfortably driving my 2010 toyota prius down a city street on a thursday afternoon--about 25 MPH, light traffic--when suddenly--without any trigger or warning--I lightly pressed down the brake pedal to slow down for a speed bump, and the brakes shuddered, the brake pedal seemed to twitch, and the car started making a loud shrieking and grinding noise every 3-5 seconds. For the record, my 2010 toyota prius has been regularly serviced at my local toyota dealership since I purchased it in 2018. The loud shrieking felt like it was coming from below my feet and from the drive shaft. I pulled over--the shrieking and grinding continued. I stopped the car--the shrieking and grinding continued. I got out of the car--the shrieking and grinding slowed after a few minutes. When I turned the car on again, the shrieking and grinding started and the car was beeping in a way I'd never heard before. Fortunately, I was about 4 blocks from my local toyota dealership. I asked them if I was safe to drive the four blocks or if I should get the car towed, and they said I should be safe to drive. I drove to the dealership with the car shrieking and beeping. The brakes felt squishy and unreliable, but the dealership has said I should be fine. I dropped off the car. The next day, I got a call from the dealership saying that my brake booster pump and brake cylinder assembly had totally failed. When I asked the technician if there was something I could have done to prevent this, he said, 'no, this is just something that happens to these cars.' the brake failure occurred on thursday, august 27, 2020. The phone call from the dealership occurred on friday, august 28, 2020.

Filed Nov 1, 2019 · Brakes · WA

Vehicle actuator brake pump assembly making squeaking barking noises when the brake is pressed down and held down the brake pumps back at me. I took to toyota they charged me for running codes and two brake bleeds. Agknowledged that it's the break actuator pump assembly that is a extended warrenty but will not fix and charged me because the warning light system is not coming on. This should be a recall not an extended warrenty. My brakes bark and push back every time I brake. This doesn't seem safe to drive on the freeway and not good if an accident incurs because I had to wait until my brakes didn't work. Please make a recall and not just an extended warrenty.

Filed Jul 14, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 124,000 miles · NV

My brakes recently stopped working as they normally do (you had to press extremely hard on the pedal to get it to stop) and several lights came on the dashboard. Prior to this the car was making a very strange noise when you start to push on the brakes. Not like a typical squeaky brake sound. I took it to toyota and they gave me a quote for $3,700 stating that I needed a new brake cylinder assembly. I discovered a recall for 2010 prius for the exact diagnostic code and they said my prius was not covered by the recall. When you "reboot" the computer on the prius, the lights and brake problem go away. This appears to be a significant problem with the 2010 prius from what I have read on-line and toyota is not acknowledging it. It's also a very costly repair that seems to be easily fixed when you reboot the computer on the car. What is going on? How many people are paying toyota for this fix that appears to be a wide problem with the vehicle that should not be happening?

Filed Jan 13, 2016 · Brakes · 68,840 miles · NC

As I was driving, I noticed that when I pressed on the brakes, the car would jerk forward before coming to a stop. Once stopped (but still turned on), the car made a buzzing noise I had never heard before. No warning lights came on, and the brakes did not squeak. An hour later, my husband drove the car home for me (I rode with a friend), and he reported that warning lights came on and the brakes did not work properly. In order for the brakes to work, he had to press very hard on them and also allow much more distance for the car to stop. He could have easily crashed into the back of another vehicle. He took the car to the toyota dealership and was informed the brake booster assembly would have to be replaced. This is the same complaint as a 2010 prius recall, but my VIN number was not included in the recall, so I did not receive a notice in the ail. Also, we had to pay $3008 to have the brake booster assembly replaced. The consumer referenced recall # 13v235000. Updated 02/11/16.

Filed Apr 11, 2014 · Brakes · 500 miles · AK

This has occurred on multiple incidents. This car does not stop properly on rough roads. When hitting a pothole, bump, manhole cover, rough road while applying the brakes, instead of stopping, the car surges forwards approximately 5-10 feet as though there were no brakes. Eventually, the brakes work and the car stops. But it can be really scary. I have taken it to toyota several times, but they cannot "replicate the incident." basically, I think they drive it around the block and it doesn't happen. It is always worse with the summer tires vs the studded winter tires. They say it has to do with the regen brakes switching to the anti-locks, but I regularly drive rental cars with anti-locks for work in other cities, and I know what anti-locks feel like. I have never felt the "chatter" one feels when the anti-locks kick on. I do not believe the anti-locks work properly on this car. On may 3, 2012, I had to replace the right rear brake (rotor, plate, pads) due to unexpected corrosion. My car had ~17-18,000 miles on it and was only 1.5 years old! I have never had to do this on any other car. Now at 27, 000 miles, mendenhall toyota says I need to replace the rear brakes again . I just replaced the front brake pads last week. But there is a nasty squeal that I reported to them last week and they did nothing. Either they are ripping me off or the brakes on these cars are defective and dangerous. Please do something. Toyota refuses to listen.

Filed May 15, 2013 · Brakes, Visibility · 92,000 miles · NJ

First incident: april 15, 2013 I lost my brakes while I was driving home from my night shift work as a registered nurse. I was at an intersection two blocks from my house when I felt the brake was failing. It was a good thing that I was driving slow to make a turn when I felt the brake system was not working. I was able to steer it to a parking lot nearby by using the foot brake. Prior to this incident, I heard squeaking noises for about three days whenever I step on the brakes. I was relieved that I did not get into an accident. Action after the 1st incident: april 24, 2010. We towed the car to dch toyota freehold, and it took about 5 days to repair the brakes so they gave us a loaner car which we truly appreciate. But when we picked up the car, the brakes were fixed but the squeaking noise is still present, and our windshield was cracked. We called the dealership right away to inform them about the squeaking noise and to complain about the cracked windshield. I was told by the service representative that their technicians tested my car and deemed it safe to drive and that they would never release my car unless they know it is safe to be on the road. Second incident: april 29, 2013, I lost the brakes again while I was on my way to work around 7:00 pm. I really got very scared because there was so much traffic at that time. I was able to stop and park my car slowly to the curb without hitting anybody else by using the foot break. Action after the second incident: same night, we towed the car back to the dealership for repair, and after a week of waiting, they finally came back to us specifying that the whole master cylinder and brake pad assembly is defective and needs to be replaced and will cost more than 4k for parts alone. Contacted toyota about this issue, and they said that they will not assist us, since we exceeded the warranty period.

Filed Mar 19, 2013 · Brakes · 39,000 miles · IN

I had been hearing a lot of grinding noises that just got worse. When I went to the dealer, they discovered that my brake pads had failed/frozen. They replaced my pads and machined my rotors. They could not explain why a car I had for only a little over a year had this problem. They at first blamed my driving, and then the roads (I.e. Too many gravel roads). Now, at 68,300 miles those pads have now failed again. One is completely worn down and the rotor is now rusted through. No one can explain why this is happening. When I demanded an answer, they told me that a "bulletin" had gone out to the dealers only stating that due to the pads failing, they were "redesigning" them. But, they would only replace for free those that fell under the 36,000 mile warranty. I don't understand why, in less than 69,000 miles I have had to have this repair done not once, but twice. They tell me no other owner has had this problem, but I find that hard to believe. Can anyone tell me if there are other complaints of this type, and what can be done to rectify this problem.

Filed Apr 19, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 43,000 miles · CA

I travel quite a bit these days and on my way home from coachella music festival, my brakes gave out. I mean to say, pushing the pedal all the way down, no resistance, no slowing, a completely limp pedal....until I repeatedly stomped on it and the car locked and skidded to a stop, feet away from the car in front of me. The brakes returned intermittently, so I took the right hand lane at 40mph and tested the brakes regularly until I got to my dealership. Scariest thing ive ever experienced. Ive had the car since august 09' and currently have 43k miles on it. I know thats a lot, and its unfortunately outside of my warranty now, but I wanted to log it here, as soon as I could. It started one day before the freeway incident, whenever I would depress the pedal, a loud high pitched squeak would come out. I didnt think much of it outside of "better get that looked at" but didnt notice any brake failure. The next morning, I turned on the car and every dashboard light came on and a fast consistant beeping went on for about 5 minutes, during which time the brake pedal had zero resistance. I sat there with a serious wtf look on my face, when out of nowhere, the dash lights went away, as did the beeping, and the car drove as normal with full regular brake pressure (besides the squeak). I received a call back from the dealership. They say it's going to be $3k for a master cylinder replacement and that toyota corporate wouldn't aid in the cost, despite my hybrid warranty still covering the hybrid ecu (the master cylinder unit includes the ecu). [xxx] (my dealership service manager) said herself that it was not my fault and that the part is not repairable, "it either works, or it does not. It must be replaced". This could have been catastrophic, had I been any closer to the car in front of me. The failure of one part (which failed through no fault of the customer) rendering the brakes nearly useless is too scary not to report here. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u

Filed Aug 24, 2010 · Brakes · 1,000 miles · IL

Squealing noise from brakes/wheels when I press brakes on my brand new 2010 toyota prius. It's literally causing me headaches after drives and is a big health hazard. I have taken the car twice to my dealership that sold the car and they are recognizing the noise but telling that it is normal for all prius. If that's the case then it's a defect in prius as squealing noise that causes headaches should not be normal. Also, I am not the only one facing this. Please check hundreds of similar complaints on priuschatforums through link: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/68563-squeaking-sound-wheels-during-rolling-start-brake-noise-merged.html.

Filed Feb 23, 2010 · Brakes · 3,129 miles · VA

2010 toyota prius: had the car for several months and really enjoy driving it...okay, I like the mileage, it's not a corvette though. Have noticed on rough pavement and potholes that the brakes do seem to give a little. However on 19 feb 10 I hit the brakes to stop and it felt like the simply made a grinding sound and barely slowed at all...the harder I pressed the less the seemed to apply. These cars are dangerous and should be removed from the roads until toyota fixes this and proves the problem is corrected...I will not drive it until they do so...

Filed Feb 9, 2010 · Brakes · 1,000 miles · VA

While driving a 2010 toyota prius it sounded like the rotors were squealing so loud we had to pull over and check the rotors and brakes. However, nothing looked unusual so we slowly drove back home. Me and my wife then proceeded to return home slowly and the sound continued all the way home (10 miles). Since then we have parked the vehicle to await results of recall that, which has been announced today.